ABSTRACT
The rubber tree lace bug was introduced in São Paulo State in 1995 and soon after spread over the São José do Rio Preto region, reaching populational levels that cause economic damages to rubber plantations. Concerning this situation, the Instituto Biológico has monitored the pest, studied its preference to clones of rubber tree, and developed processes to grow the fungus Sporothrix insectorum, which has been used for the control of this pest. Our study was aimed to evaluate the populational fluctuation of Leptopharsa heveae in order to learn about its seasonal occurrence in Pindorama county, SP, on a commercial clone (PB 235) of rubber tree, which is one of most used by the grower. Observations were made each 15 days, between August 1997 to July 2000. Adults and nymphs of the insect were counted on the axial part of the leaves, observed in the external site of the inferior third of the rubber tree. The insect occurred in high population during the rainy season, especially between November and March. August showed the lower population, matching with the end of the tree senescence.
KEY WORDS:
Occurrence; fluctuation; rubber tree lace bug.
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